Afton's legal fees associated with the GJ&M lawsuit are starting to pile up, but this may not be the end of the issue.

One of developer Gordy Jarvis' attorneys, Daniel J. Cragg said that GJ&M is currently seeking a new trial based on the judge's ruling regarding the damages and jury instruction.

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During the jury trial, which concluded Dec. 8 at the Washington County Courthouse, Judge Mary Hannon ruled that GJ&M did not present enough sufficient evidence to show that the city was liable for the actions of its employees. Therefore Hannon dismissed all of Jarvis' $6 million in damage claims. The jury ruled in favor of the city that the application was not complete.

"The city did everything right and they were still faced with the lawsuit," said Stephanie Weiss from the League of Minnesota Cities.

To date, the League of Minnesota Cities has spent $825,325 on the lawsuit with GJ&M, and that does not include any fees that will be incurred if a retrial is granted or the case is appealed.

Amber Kispert-Smith has been the schools and Afton reporter at the Woodbury Bulletin since 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked as a reporter for Press Publications in White Bear Lake.